FLANGE WEATHERSTRIP ATTACHMENT

• US 20110162285A1
• Filed: 01/07/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hall, Dustin Michael, Lichtner, Jeff, Dishman, Todd William, Bakos, Tracy Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,286,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/490.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/18 provided with reinforcements or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/24 having tubular parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/32 using integral U-shaped retainers
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/33 characterised by the configuration of the retaining lips
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/80 specially adapted for opening panels, e.g. doors for non-fixed roofs B60J10/90

Abstract

A seal weatherstrip retention assembly is provided that includes a flange having a lanced segment, wherein the lanced segment extends at an angled pitch away from the flange. Also included is a weatherstrip. The weatherstrip includes a substantially U-shaped channel, wherein the U-shaped channel includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a cap wall. The weatherstrip further includes a retaining member that extends away from the first sidewall, wherein the retaining member is angled to engage the lanced segment.

Claims

1. A seal weatherstrip retention assembly comprising:

a flange having a lanced segment, wherein the lanced segment extends at an angled pitch away from the flange; and

a weatherstrip further comprising;

a substantially U-shaped channel, wherein the U-shaped channel includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a cap wall; and

a retaining member that extends away from the first sidewall, wherein the retaining member is angled to engage the lanced segment.

2. The retention feature of claim 1, wherein the flange is a single gage thickness.

3. The retention feature of claim 2, wherein the flange is a metal material and extends around the perimeter of a vehicle door opening.

4. The retention feature of claim 2, wherein the flange has a plurality of lanced segments aligned in a longitudinal direction of the flange.

5. The retention feature of claim 1, wherein the weatherstrip is an elastomeric material.

6. The retention feature of claim 1, wherein the substantially U-shaped channel is substantially rigid.

7. The retention feature of claim 6, wherein the weatherstrip further comprises a hollow section for engageably sealing a surface, and wherein the hollow section is a resilient and flexible material.

8. A seal or weatherstrip retention assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a flange having at least one lanced opening and a spacer, wherein the at least one lanced opening includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the spacer extends from the first portion of the at least one lanced opening at an angled pitch away from the flange; and

a weatherstrip further comprising;

a substantially U-shaped channel, wherein the U-shaped channel includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a cap wall; and

a retaining member that extends from the first sidewall substantially toward the second sidewall, wherein the retaining member is angled to engageably attach to the spacer, thereby retaining the weatherstrip to the flange.

9. The retention assembly of claim 8, wherein the flange is a single gage thickness.

10. The retention assembly of claim 9, wherein the flange is a metal material and extends around the perimeter of a vehicle door opening.

11. The retention assembly of claim 9, wherein the flange has a plurality of lanced segments aligned in a longitudinal direction of the flange.

12. The retention assembly of claim 8, wherein the weatherstrip is an elastomeric material.

13. The retention assembly of claim 8, wherein the substantially U-shaped channel is substantially rigid.

14. The retention assembly of claim 13, wherein the weatherstrip further comprises a hollow section for engageably sealing a surface, and wherein the hollow section is a resilient and flexible material.

15. A method of retaining a weatherstrip to a vehicle flange comprising:

providing a flange on a vehicle;

lancing a segment of the flange, wherein a first portion of the segment remains connected to the flange, and wherein a second portion of the segment extends at an angled pitch away from the flange;

forming a weatherstrip having a substantially U-shaped channel, wherein the U-shaped channel includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a cap wall, and a retaining member that extends away from the first sidewall; and

placing the weatherstrip over the flange, thereby engageably attaching the retaining member to the segment.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of lancing a plurality of segments in a longitudinal direction of the flange.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the flange is a single gage thickness.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of lancing the plurality of segments along the majority of the length of the flange.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the flange is a metal and the weatherstrip is an elastomeric material.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the U-shaped channel is substantially rigid.